Extending The Mesothelioma Life Expectancy Of Asbestosis Sufferers

By George S. Hughes

Mesothelioma life expectancy is so hard to predict because there are many factors that go into the diagnosis, such as how much asbestos was the person exposed to, how long after did the diagnosis occur, and most importantly, at what stage is the patient currently at? Mesothelioma is a rare sort of cancer that happens as a result of asbestos exposure and its occurrence is increasing in the United States. The mesothelium is an insulating pouch surrounding the body's internal organs and it is often attacked by cancer cells. The pleura or peritoneum are usually the first to display hints of destruction, but these cancer cells soon appear in other various parts of the body. The disease is terminal and the length of survival is dependent on a number of factors, such as treatment and the overall health of the patient, but in general, survival time tends to be about one to two years.

Promptness of diagnosis and the prescribed treatment regimen are crucial factors in figuring out the probable course of mesothelioma. The rate of survival is drastically diminished when treatment is significantly delayed. A great prognosis is reliant on such elements as the patient's basic health and morale, the type of mesothelioma, and the treatment used. The most critical factor in determining prognosis and estimated survival time is the point the disease has reached when it is diagnosed. The handicap here is that mesothelioma is vastly less identifiable in its initial stages than other forms of cancer. One of the biggest roadblocks to early detection is that the symptoms are pretty non-specific, thus allowing the spread of matured cancer cells prior to diagnosis.

The progression of any sort of successful treatment is contingent on early detection. Ultimately, prognosis is determined by several factors; age of the patient, the extent of the spread, how well the cancer responds to treatment, size and location of the cancer, as well as, the appearance of the cells when examined under a microscope. Diagnosis of this disease is fairly frustrating to begin with, and is much more challenging due to the subtlety of the symptoms and the illusory nature of mesothelioma. Coughing may be caused by a multitude of things but it is one of the common symptoms of mesothelioma. A cough is so common a symptom to a host of other ailments that until your doctor makes a diagnoses of mesothelioma you might never know you had contracted it. Tried and true treatments are prevalent in malignant mesothelioma cases. The elimination of the cancerous cells can be done via chemotherapy, employing drug therapy, and a combination of high energy x-rays. The likelihood of survival or remission is dramatically boosted with such early treatment once a diagnosis has been made.

To learn more about mesothelioma life expectancy make sure to visit the asbestos attorney mesothelioma blog and home page.

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Get to a Mesothelioma Law Firm in Time to Claim the Compensation

By Corwin Knight

It is better to take resort to a mesothelioma law firm or mesothelioma lawyers as soon as mesothelioma disease is diagnosed clinically. There are many essential and mandatory legal factors like time bar to file the suit, the time and duration for exposure, the damage caused due to working in a particular industry or damage caused by some arbitrary act on the part of the patient in his early life etc. As determining the applicability of all these factors are part of specialized knowledge and professional expertise so it is always wise to leave the decision in the hand the mesothelioma lawyers or mesothelioma law firm. Sometimes to find exactly how much relevance the alleged exposure does have with the claim for compensation, the mesothelioma law firm may even hire a private investigator to look into the matter. There are many law firms which exclusively deal with only mesothelioma cases. Such kind of law firms keep mesothelioma lawyers who do only deal with the cases relating to compensation claim in case mesothelioma disease is diagnosed in a patient. There are many companies which to up size profit, compromise the safety of the workers and make them work in dusty environment with little or no protection.

This irregularity is more often in asbestos industries and stone- crusher industries where the workers are exposed to hazard more expansively than anywhere. With each breathing they intake the microscopic dust particle which do not come out with exhalation but stick to the wall of lungs. After long time normally after years of working in that environment, when the body gradually weakened the hazard shows itself. So, it is probably an exception among the diseases, in which the harm is perceived when already it is too late to prevent. Once, lungs and heart thus weaken, automatically the patient is faced with considerable decrease in his energy to work and ironically, to earn. In such situation, mesothelioma law firm and mesothelioma lawyers become of great help. It is always pretty advantageous to the patient to take resort to legal advice from a reputed mesothelioma law firm in or around his locality, because the profit to the patient is from both sides, in winning or losing. During seeking legal advice in such cases the patient or any party on the patient's side does not need to pay any fees at the first instance. The fee is only claimed when the compensation is awarded to the patient or any party legally authorized. A percentage is charged by the mesothelioma lawyers or mesothelioma law firm who was engaged for the job. Whatever measures or options be taken by the mesothelioma law firm, it is not usually chargeable unless the case is won. So, it is advisable that whenever a disease of mesothelium called mesothelioma is diagnosed then it is better to avail legal advise regarding claiming of compensation. Unlike other law suits particularly in mesothelioma cases it is never a loss to seek a legal advice as there is no need to pay unless the patient is paid at first, in form of compensation.

For reliable assistance about mesothelioma legal issues, one can online visit mesothelioma law firm at mesotheliomalawyersfirm.com to avail professional advice from board of mesothelioma lawyers.

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How to Recognize an Asbestos Injury - Epithelial Mesothelioma Advice

By Christopher Arnfield

If you have worked in the past for any period of time with asbestos due to your work or occupation, then you need to know that if you haven't been protected enough you may suffer from a condition called mesothelioma. One of the rarest forms of this condition is called epithelial mesothelioma, however it is not a disease that can be passed from human to human, rather it is a disease that is contracted due to asbestos exposure.

The people working in the Kent cigarettes factory in the 50s, when the company used asbestos to manufacture the filters, have been exposed to the handling of asbestos. Incredibly, it is from there that some mesothelioma cases have been generated.

The epithelial mesothelioma condition develops more often in men than women and 3 cases out of 4 are people aged more than 65. The majority of these cases are manifested by people who used to work with asbestos material or have been exposed for a long time to its presence.

The workers who used to handle asbestos in insulation have been found to develop this condition and although it is not contagious, the family members of the workers are known to present other forms of cancer such as lung cancer, kidney or larynx.

This situation is possibly due to the fact that many fibers of this mineral are caught in the clothes and the hair of the person who works with asbestos and as such the family members can get infected by breathing these fibers.

The form of epithelial mesothelioma that was known to be very rare 20 years ago, now has increased its rate of incidence from 7 to 40 in 1 million in Western countries especially those well-developed from the industrial point of view. This increased rate will depend on how much asbestos was used in the past with people being exposed to due to their field of work.

Since this conditions development can be considered the employers' fault, many workers have resorted to law courts filing mesothelioma lawsuits against these corporations. Needless to say that the condition was in fact developing a long time after the asbestos exposure took place, because the inhaling process lead the lethal particles to various organs where they settled there for a while without manifesting sometimes for decades.

Once the disease is discovered radiotherapy is employed but mostly to bring relief to the patient's pains caused by the mesothelioma cancer condition. As has already been stated in other articles, those suffering from this condition are urged to find an asbestos cancer attorney as soon as possible in order to file the lawsuit and make the responsible ones pay for their faults which generated lethal condition of an epithelial mesothelioma.

I have set up a website specifically for those people who do not know where to start when they find out that they, or someone close to them has contracted mesothelioma. The site has all the information you need to file your case; lawyers, experts, articles by experts, but most importantly, a number of videos by an expert in the field, who will guide you through the process. You will never feel alone using this website resource. I hope that it gives some comfort to those affected. You can go directly to the site here: http://www.mesotheliomaalternatives.com.

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How Do You Know You Have Lung Cancer?

By Charlene Nuble

There are two ways in order to know if you have lung cancer. One is through the identification of the different early signs and symptoms and through diagnostic examination. Lung cancer is a killer disease that is prevalent all over the world and chooses no status or gender.

Therefore it is of utmost importance that you determine the signs and symptoms of the disease so that further evaluation can be ordered.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms that are experienced by a lung cancer patient are:

• Chest pain which is constant and is evident during coughing or breathing

• Dyspnea or difficulty in breathing which may be due to nagging cough and constriction of the bronchioles

• Wheezing most likely heard upon exhalation

• Cough out of bloody sputum or hemoptysis

• Swelling of the face and neck which can be caused by a tumor which presses on the large blood vessels just near the lung

• Muscle weakness which may be caused by a pressing tumor on the different muscle sites

• Fever which has an unknown cause

Once these signs and symptoms are now present, the person may then experience weight loss, fatigue, headache, fracture to the bones, distant pains, anorexia, confusion which can further lead to coma.

Though definite, none of these symptoms are positive signs of having lung cancer unless a doctor has made diagnostic findings on it. That is why, it is of top priority that when a person experiences two or more of the above mentioned signs and symptoms, one must seek the advice of a doctor.

In diagnosis, the doctor explores the different areas of possibility that the patient may or may not have lung cancer. Some of the diagnostic procedures which can determine the possibility of the disease are:

1. Chest x-ray - this is usually the first test that is ordered by the physician. Chest x-ray has the capacity to detect tumors of the lung and to what extent it has reached, although this test may miss out on the smaller ones and can only detect the more visual ones.

2. CT scan - known as computed tomography, CT scans has the capacity to show the different characteristics and patterns of a lung cancer cells which can help doctors come up with a possible diagnosis. CT scans also have the capability to show the tiniest tumors which are not shown on x-rays. These small tumors may reveal if the cancer cell has already reached the nearby lymph nodes and if it has grown.

3. Bronchoscopy - using a scope to view the inside of the lungs. The microscopic examination of tissues inside the lungs is enough to confirm the possible existence of cancer cells inside the lungs. Here the doctor would do an invasive procedure which will help him view the inside of the lungs for further visualization of the tumor and at the same time take samples of the specimen.

4. Needle biopsy - this is done when the sample is too far away for the bronchoscope to reach. Specimen is obtained through insertion of a needle inside the chest skin and uses a CT to serve as a guide in maneuvering the needle to the affected part.

Together with the signs and symptoms and diagnostic procedures interpreted by the doctor, you will now know if you have lung cancer or not.

Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about health related stuffs. Click on the link to learn more about How Do You Know You Have Lung Cancer...

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5 Things to Learn From Libby, Montana

By Shane Ceatus

Those familiar with the industrial disaster of Libby, Montana, know all too well the many lessons that can be learned from such an ordeal. But for the many people who did not live through or know someone who was impacted by what has been considered one of the biggest industrial disasters in America, there is a lot that we can learn.

Libby, a small town in Montana with a population of around 2,600, spent decades known as a mining town. Vermiculite (an ore) was found in the area in the late 1800s, and a company began mining it heavily in the early 1900s. Little did the miners know that they were being exposed to large amounts of asbestos. As time went on, the asbestos exposure that the miners experienced ultimately led to the death of many of them and their family members. After being exposed for so long, many of the residents were diagnosed with or died from illnesses such as asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer.

There are lessons we can learn from what happened in Libby, Montana, including:

• The dangers of mining.While many people realize that mining plays an important role in our society, they do not understand the dangers from asbestos exposure or other such risks associated with the industry. Asbestos exposure can lead to critical health conditions, such as mesothelioma cancer. While not all miners are exposed to asbestos, those who are find their health at risk.


• People other than miners are impacted.Miners often realize the risk of their profession. But many people are not aware of the risks that spread to family members and those who live in the area. The asbestos fibers were unknowingly taken home and into the community on the miners' clothing. Additionally, the top layer of the mined soil contained asbestos, creating toxic dust that blew around the town.


• Such environmental destruction is costly. There has been a tremendous cost to the government, including $333 million in cleanup costs, according to CNN. W.R. Grace & Co., the company that operated the mine, reached a $60 million settlement for people in the area. Additional expenses have been incurred by those who have received a mesothelioma diagnosis and required mesothelioma treatment.


• Money is the driving force behind many secrets. W.R. Grace & Co. knew about the asbestos exposure and the dangers that it created. But the company fought to keep the dangers secret in order to maintain their profits. Even with 200 residents in the area dying as a result of the exposure, they remained quiet and continued mining.


• You have to be your own advocate. Most people would like to believe that their boss or the company they work for will to protect them. But what we have learned from Libby is that this is not always the case. Therefore, people need to be their own advocate in seeking justice by contacting a lawyer if they or someone they know has received a mesothelioma diagnosis.

The continued asbestos exposure that took place in Libby, Montana, resulted in many people dying and many others getting a mesothelioma diagnosis. While we cannot turn back the clock, we can do our best to learn from this tragedy in hopes of never repeating it.

Please visit this website for additional information on mesothelioma cancer and its relation to asbestos exposure. If you believe that you or a loved one has contracted this lethal disease as a result of negligence on the part of another party, please contact a qualified mesothelioma lawyer today to learn more about your legal rights.

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Some Famous People With Lung Cancer

By Charlene Nuble

Lung cancer has the highest growing mortality rate in both men and women who have the same lifestyle or is exposed to lung irritants for their entire life. And this kind of disease is not a choosy one, there are many famous people with lung cancer who are now six feet under the ground.

Lung cancer is committed to anyone who is qualified therefore even if you're just the average Joe or a really famous person, you are not excluded in the list of probable affectations.

Here are some famous people who died of lung cancer just to name a few:

Walt Disney

Creator of the fictional cartoon characters which is still growing in popularity for the young and old, Walt Disney is the man of genius as he was responsible for building the Walt Disney Studio and the Walt Disney Theme Park known as Disneyland. Walt Disney died out of lung cancer complications on December 15, 1966 inside St. Joseph's Hospital which is located right across the street from where his studio stands. He died at the age of 65 years old. It is said that his body was cremated and the remains were put inside their family crypt in Glendale, California at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Nat "King" Cole

A famous jazz musician, Nat "King" Cole is considered to be a chain smoker during his time, consuming more than three cigarette packs everyday. He died a day after Valentine's Day which is February 15, 1965. Before the day of his death, an interview was made talking about Cole's way of perceiving his cancer as something making him feel better; looking at the condition more of a blessing than a situation.

Steve McQueen

Died on November 7, 1980, Steve McQueen was known as the super-cool guy back in the 60s who rose to popularity from being a troubled juvenile to being one of the top loved actors of his time. Even after his death, McQueen is still admired by many as one of the coolest icons of all time. McQueen died from a cancer type that is related to being exposed to too much asbestos known as mesothelioma. This resulted to him having an enormous tumor affecting his right lung.

Clay Shaw

A controversial persona, Clay Laverne Shaw lived in New Orleans, Louisiana as a successful businessman. Through the success lies the prosecution of having been connected with the assassination of the late John F. Kennedy. He was the only person accused of plotting the assassination although was not found guilty at any offense. On August 15, 1974, Shaw died at the age of 61 because of cancer which has metastasized.

Robert Mitchum

Robert Charles Mitchum, an Academy Award nominee and an American composer, singer, actor and author. Mitchum died on July 1, 1997 after his 80th birthday out of complications caused by emphysema and lung cancer. Dying, Mitchum was regarded by critics as one of the finest actors during the Golden Age.

These famous people with lung cancer died out of the different complications even with extensive treatment modalities that were used. Still, there are a lot of musicians, actors and even personalities outside Hollywood who died and are currently experiencing signs and symptoms of this dreaded disease.

Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about health related stuffs. Click on the link to learn more about Famous People With Lung Cancer...

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The Lung Cancer Ribbon

By Luke Stephenson

Many people who have someone in their life that is affected by lung cancer, will often times wear a lung cancer ribbon is a show of support for them, This as a result will lead them many times showing their support to rid the world of this awful disease. The plain pearl color like many others has a special meaning.

The pearl represents the fact that the everyday person can be affected by this disease, this will many times lead a person to make the commitment to support the battle in any way that they are able to. They see these ribbons as serving a duel purpose in the battle.

The first purpose is that the ribbons show that they have awareness of the problem and are interested in helping to find a solution that will one day lead to a permanent cure for this disease. This is the hopes of each and every person that makes the decision to wear one of these ribbons.

The other way that these help is that the purchase price of these often times will be donated to the research in trying to find a cure for this disease and allow people to live as normal of a life as they are able to. While many people will claim that the small amount makes little to no difference, the fact of the matter is that often times these can go a long way in helping in funding the research to rid people of lung cancer.

When a person wears one of these ribbons, it is done so on the left hand side towards the heart and up a little bit. This is often times looked at as being the best place to display this at with the best exposure.

While many of the people that wear these do not know anyone with this illness, they still feel a dedication to the cause and are looking for a way to help in making a difference in the world.

A lung cancer ribbon is a wonderful way for a person to show their support for a person that has been affected by this disease. The more people that show awareness to this issue, the more exposure that it will get and lead to more and more people showing this sup[port for this disease. This is one of the best ways that you can show your support for a person that you may or may not know that is suffering from lung cancer.

Wearing a lung cancer ribbon shows support for patients of the disease. It helps to support lung cancer awareness and research.

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How to Get Legal Advice on Mesothelioma Case

By Christopher Arnfield

The companies dealing with asbestos handling by their employees were aware of the effects this mineral can have on workers, not to mention the potential of family members also being infected once inhaling the asbestos fibers from the worker's clothes.

These employers were supposed to create a safe working environment and conditions against asbestos fiber inhalation, but they have overlooked the investment in workers' safety as they were searching for immediate profits.

Because of this it has reached many people who would otherwise not have been affected, that have lost their quality of life, they have also lost the ability to work, being overwhelmed by pain and high medical expenses and what is the worst, facing death.

Mesothelioma is the name of this asbestos exposed condition which is a form of cancer that evolves in a latent and undetected way at the same time affecting certain vital organs. Many people who are discovered to suffer from this do not even connect the emergence of this lethal disease to asbestos as there will be many years that have passed (25 - 30) since dealing with asbestos.

Due to this fact, people do not seek medical assistance in the early stage as this condition doesn't manifest aggressively, only after decades have passed does it eventually begin evolving very quickly with the consequence of death being almost an inevitability.

Unfortunately, unless it is discovered in its early stages, treatment is virtually useless. When this happens, then it is more of an attempt to increase the life expectancy and for this some treatment needs to be done: chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

When it is discovered that a person has contracted mesothelioma in this way, it is the job of the lawyers to build a strong case against the ones responsible for the condition. To do this you would need to hire a good mesothelioma lawyer. Most of these lawyers will charge no fees, but only at the end of the case they will get their reward in the form of a percentage commission of the amount that is received as compensation.

When the mesothelioma attorney evaluates your case you must be prepared to provide all the necessary information:

* Health records - they will show the history of the disease (when it was diagnosed and all medical data implied).

* History of the period when you have been exposed to asbestos that must include your degree of knowledge of dealing with a dangerous material, if your duty included handling asbestos and for how long, if you have lived near a neighborhood exposed to asbestos use and whether the working field was protected against fire with asbestos insulation.

* The source of asbestos exposure needs to be ascertained as hard as this may be, with so many years having passed by already.

* How many lawsuits of these sorts have the company faced before? This is another aspect that should be evaluated when deciding which attorney investigates your mesothelioma case.

Once all this information has been given to your mesothelioma lawyers, they will assess your case and decide upon the best course of action.It can not be emphasized enough, the importance of contacting a lawyer as soon as possible once the condition has been diagnosed.

I have set up a website specifically for those people who do not know where to start when they find out that they, or someone close to them has contracted mesothelioma. The site has all the information you need to file your case; lawyers, experts, articles by experts, but most importantly, a number of videos by an expert in the field, who will guide you through the process. You will never feel alone using this website resource. I hope that it gives some comfort to those affected. You can go directly to the site here: http://www.mesotheliomaalternatives.com.

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Common Asbestos Products in the Home

By K M Kelly

I intend to discuss the different types of asbestos products and where they may be found in residential properties. It should be considered that in the UK, housing stock still has a large amount of asbestos products present throughout. From textured coatings to cement boiler flues to floor tiles. The HSE recently suggested over 2.4 million homes contained some asbestos products.

On the legal and duty of care issues, it should be pointed out that until proved otherwise all suspect materials should be considered to be asbestos. When any works to a building or part thereof, are to be carried out, a refurbishment or demolition survey is a legal requirement. This survey should identify all asbestos containing materials present and recommend any further action to be taken.

Asbestos Insulation Board.

This material was mainly used in fire protection, such as in heater cupboards, but is also commonly found in ceiling tiles, partition walls and fireproof panels for fire doors. It can be difficult to spot this type of asbestos as it can look very much like "ordinary" ceiling tiles and partitioning or plasterboard. This is also a highly dangerous material as when broken or disturbed it can easily release fibres. The HSE will allow only very minor works to be carried out to this material. But it is recommended that only license contractors work with this material.

Loose fill asbestos insulation.

This material was used to insulate in between cavity walls, floorboards and lofts. This material is usually pure asbestos and maybe grey or whitish in colour. It is a fluffy type of material. A large volume of fibres can be released when disturbed and work on this material is by licensed contractors only.

Asbestos cement products.

This material was used in anything from roofing sheets, guttering and downpipes. Boiler flues and wall cladding. The asbestos has been mixed with cement which does help to prevent dispersal of fibres. A common use was as garage roofs. You do not need a licensed asbestos contractor to work with asbestos cement products as long as you do not exceed control limits. A risk assessment will highlight if the works are likely to exceed the control limits.

Textured coatings.

This is usually a decorative paint or plaster finish and can be commonly know as "Artex". More often than not these materials will also have been painted over. The danger can be limited as the material is contained but easy release is achieved if sanded down. This must be avoided. Textured coatings have in the past also been applied over the top of asbestos insulation board. Therefore care must still be taken when dealing with this material. You do not need to be a licensed asbestos contractor to work with these materials. You will however need to erect a two stage airlock, and use negative pressure unit as well as the correct PPE.

Floor tiles, toilet cisterns and textiles.

Vinyl floor tiles can have an asbestos content and can be found under carpet. Composite asbestos products have included toilet cisterns and seats, window sills and bath panels. For the tiles and composite products it may be a question of how long they have been in situ as to whether they contain asbestos. Asbestos textiles can be found behind older fuse boxes.

Asbestos spray coatings.

This material is found on the underside of ceilings and floors, as fire protection to steelwork and concrete. Considered as one of the most dangerous of the asbestos materials due to the high volume of fibres that can be released when disturbed. Only licensed asbestos contractors may work with this product.

This list is not comprehensive but does cover some of the main products that you may find. It should always be remembered that asbestos was still being used in building products up to the year 2000. If the material is suspect, you must treat it as asbestos. You cannot determine if a product has asbestos content by a visual inspection. The sample must be viewed in a laboratory

Keith Kelly is the Business Development Manager at http://www.pagroupuk.com

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Vitamin B Could Prevent Lung Cancer

By Dr. Anita Brown

Cancer of the lung is a life-threatening condition which is the most common cancer across the world and a leading cause of death. Considering this fact today's research is focused on identifying the ways and means to prevent the disease. Avoiding smoking and exposure to various carcinogens are well-established preventive measures. A recent study came up with an interesting finding and suggested that specific type of diet also help to prevent occurrence of lung cancer. Vitamin B can prevent lung cancer.

This study was conducted in France with funding from World Cancer Research Fund and the European Commission. The study was based on the fact that Vitamin B regulates the expression of genes and also preserves the integrity of DNA within the cells. Any disturbances in its function may invite carcinogenesis (process of cancer development). The study included a large cohort 519,978 persons and participants were asked to fill up a standard questionnaire with questions on their diet. Of these participants, 385,747 provided a blood sample.

The participants were divided in two groups: Cases- persons who developed lung cancer and Controls: who did not develop cancer. The investigators measured amount of different vitamin B ie; B2, B6, B9 and B12, in the blood samples and a chemical called cotinine, an indicator of recent smoking intensity.

In results, it was seen that there were 899 cases that had given a blood sample and later on developed lung cancer. The researchers then selected 1,815 matched controls. Cases were mostly male 62% and the levels of vitamin B in blood were similar between former and never smokers, but for current smokers it was lower. They had low B6, B9 and B12 levels with more depletion seen in heavy smoker compared to those who smoke fewer cigarettes.

It was also observed that there was a reduced risk of lung cancer with increasing levels of B6 and methionine. Interestingly, it was found that smokers had fewer fruits and vegetables consumption than former smokers, and there was a weak association between dietary vitamin amounts and serum levels of B2, B6 and B12.

The researchers commented that High serum measures of B6 and methionine are linked with a reduced risk of developing lung cancer by about 50%. However, it should be noted that the study has used a single blood sample at the time of recruitment and hence the level of vitamin B may not reflect day to day or long term variations in vitamin levels.

Additionally, the study said that the difference in vitamin B level between cases and controls was due to difference in absorption rater than dietary intake. In conclusion, this study needs further research to find whether diet change can or cannot affect the risk of lung cancer.

Dr. Anita Brown is a New York based physician. She actively contributes to http://www.HealthEnclave.com by writing articles on a wide range of Topic and Issues. She has a passion for writing, this combined with her educations credentials as Doctor make her an excellent Medical Writer.

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